Challenges
The assessment discovered that the biggest risk was how the organization managed digital identities and internal trust. A misconfiguration in the system that issues digital certificates could have allowed an attacker to gain highly trusted credentials and take control of key systems. This meant that a small security issue could quickly turn into a full network compromise.
Additional findings included:
- Issues with how user accounts and admin roles were managed.
- Security settings weren’t applied consistently, making it easier for an attacker with limited access to gain more control over the network.
- Some internal databases and apps didn’t properly control who could access or change information (e.g. one low-level user account had unexpected access to another database, and one app could be tricked into exposing or changing data).
- Some background services were too exposed, which could help attackers gather info or disrupt operations.
Objectives
The client wanted an independent, expert opinion on how its internal systems might appear to an attacker.
The main goals were:
- To find out how vulnerable key systems and applications were
- Whether user accounts and login sessions were secure
- Which weaknesses posed the biggest risks and needed to be fixed right away
The company was looking for a clear picture of its actual exposure to threats, along with practical guidance on what to fix first.
Services Provided
CyberGlobal carried out a penetration test designed to simulate how an attacker might try to break into the company’s systems.
The focus was on:
- Finding weaknesses in how access was managed
- How applications behaved
- How data was protected
The assessment looked at how easily important systems could be discovered or misused, and how their setup affected overall security.
Execution and Outcomes
The assessment focused on the company’s real-world risks by looking at its internal network from an attacker’s point of view.
CyberGlobal’s security team started with the level of access a regular employee might have and explored how far that access could be used to take control of other systems or sensitive data. They closely examined how the company managed identity and trust between users, systems, and applications.
One major issue found was a misconfiguration in the certificate-based identity system, which could be exploited to gain highly trusted credentials. In simple terms, if an attacker got far enough into the network, they could potentially take full control of internal systems.
The team also looked at how databases and applications were connected and discovered that:
- A low-level user account could take over another database.
- A business app accepted requests in a way that allowed unauthorized data access or changes.
Other background services were tested to see if attackers could gather information or slow down systems without needing a login. These were found to be more open than necessary.
All results were clearly linked to business risks, helping the company focus on fixing the most urgent issues first.
Solutions
CyberGlobal advised the client to put stricter controls in place for how digital certificates are requested and issued and limit which users and systems can receive highly trusted credentials. This would make it much harder for an attacker to turn basic access into full control over the internal network.
To strengthen overall identity management, CyberGlobal suggested improving how user and service accounts are handled.
Key actions included:
- Tightening control over admin roles
- Reducing the use of long-term passwords
- Phasing out outdated systems that weaken security
These steps help block attackers from gaining higher access and moving through the network.
For internal databases, the team recommended reviewing how databases are linked, ensuring that one account can’t take control of others unnecessarily.
They also advised fixing the way a vulnerable application handled user input, to prevent attackers from viewing or altering data they shouldn’t access.
Lastly, CyberGlobal recommended limiting or disabling unused network services and requiring proper authentication for internal queries. These changes would reduce attack surfaces and help keep network operations stable and secure.
Results
By fixing the issues that were found, the organization can greatly reduce the chances that someone with limited access could take control of critical systems. This lowers the risk of unauthorized access to or tampering with important business data and makes the internal network stronger against misuse of trust and outdated systems.
The result is a more secure and predictable network, with clearer rules about who has access, where they can go, and under what conditions. This helps build trust in the systems that manage user identities, store data, and run business applications.
CyberGlobal continues to be a trusted partner for organizations that want to understand and strengthen their internal security.
Through focused penetration testing and practical advice, we help companies protect what matters most. We encourage similar organizations to proactively check their own networks for similar issues before attackers find them first.